Man Utd in-tray: What must Ruben Amorim sort in his early days at Old Trafford?

The 39-year-old Portuguese manager has swapped Sporting Lisbon for Manchester United.

Manchester United have appointed Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s replacement.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what the Portuguese will have to get to grips with at Old Trafford.

Sort out form

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, left, and Amad Diallo react to defeat at West Ham — United’s form has left a lot to be desired (Nick Potts/PA)

It is the most obvious place to start but Amorim will be expected to turn results around quickly.

Ten Hag was ultimately fired because he was simply not winning enough games and the new man must hit the ground running.

He will inherit a side currently 14th in the Premier League after four defeats from their opening nine games and struggling in the Europa League.

Amorim’s first match will be away at Ipswich on November 24.

Provide a clear identity

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, centre left, reacts on the touchline after a penalty is awarded to West Ham — Frustration regularly set in for Erik ten Hag and his team (John Walton/PA)

A big criticism during the Ten Hag era was that there was no identity to his United side and it was a mystery as to how they would set up from one game to the next.

The new manager must change that and provide a team with an obvious personality and defined character – preferably one that attacks and plays on the front foot.

His Sporting team provided that, but whether this United squad will be to do the same in his preferred 3-4-3 formation remains to be seen.

Order some shooting practice

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee, second right, has a close-range shot saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario — United’s forwards have struggled to find the net (Martin Rickett/PA)

Ten Hag will have cleared out his office on Monday thinking about what could have been had his players scored some of their first-half chances at West Ham on Sunday.

That has been United’s biggest Achilles heel so far as they have failed to make their dominance count in games.

Only Southampton and Crystal Palace have scored fewer than them in the Premier League so far, so Amorim must find a way for his players to be more clinical.

Re-engage fans

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds in front of a largely empty stand at Old Trafford following this season's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool — Erik ten Hag applauds the remaining fans as Old Trafford quickly empties at the end of this season’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool (Nick Potts/PA)

Old Trafford has been beset with an air of toxicity since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013, aimed largely at the club’s owners the Glazer family.

Although Louis van Gaal won the FA Cup and Jose Mourinho had brief success, trouble never seemed far away.

Ten Hag has added to United’s trophy cabinet, with Carabao Cup and FA Cup wins, but dismal league form last season brought further anger.

The new manager has to turn around the atmosphere at the club under Ineos’ leadership team and have everyone pulling in the same direction.